You CAN afford to study abroad: Financial aid for students who hope to broaden their horizons | Opinion

Many students feel as though studying abroad would be too much of a financial load to handle on top of the cost of the typical college education. However, Missouri State University offers a variety of financial aid opportunities for those who wish to expand their horizons and study outside of the country. 

For those who have received the Board of Governors, Provost, Deans and Engaged Citizen scholarships, a $1,000 study abroad voucher is automatically applied to your MSU account after the Office of Education Abroad has verified your participation in a program. 

Furthermore, the education abroad office offers scholarships of up to $2,000 to cover the cost of transportation, lodging, tuition and supplies. For upcoming spring semester programs, the deadline to apply for this scholarship is Nov. 1, with April 1 being the cutoff for any programs taking place over the summer, for the fall or for the upcoming academic year. 

Donor-funded scholarships through the MSU Foundation are also available to those who wish to study abroad. These applications will open Nov. 1. 

In addition to scholarships granted through MSU, there are a number of external scholarships listed on the Office of Education Abroad website. These application dates vary, so be sure to check as soon as you are able!

Finally, let’s take a look at the different types of study-away programs. Short term faculty-led excursions, which are abroad for eight weeks or less, are typically less costly than spending a semester or a year abroad. They usually take place during breaks, meaning they won’t interfere with class time, and offer credit for courses you’d otherwise be taking in a classroom! 

For those who wish to spend a full semester in another country, however, there are multiple options for ensuring you get the most bang for your buck. With over 45 country options, the Missouri State International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) only requires that you pay your typical in-state tuition whilst you go abroad, meaning you travel at no additional cost. Other options include affiliate programs and independent study, but these will be more costly. 

All in all, there are many ways to study outside of the U.S. without breaking the bank. For any further questions, check out the Office of Education Abroad, either in-person or at their website!

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